1947. Gwenwynwyn ap Owain ,Prince of Powis Cyffeillog
The castle of Powis, which was begun by Bleddyn, was continued by Gwenwynwyn, and on completion appeared as a low-roofed edifice of red stone. The castle was captured by the English in 1191, but retaken by Gwenwynwyn in 1197, it contains a vast store of art collections, paintings and statuary, including heroic busts of the twelve Caesors brought from Italy. This Prince, and the Castle of Powis so finely portrayed in the "Betrothed" by Sir Walter Scott, recovered his castle from Archbishop Hubert, who commanded the armies of Richard I against the Welsh. In 1198, ambitious of achieving the independence of his country, he raised a large army, and besieged William Braose in his castle of Payn in Radnor, but was defeated in a battle near the castle. In 1208 he was in arms with Llewellyn, Prince of North Wales, and with other great men of Wales and the two princes drove King John from the country. He later returned his allegiance to King John, and in 1210 Gwenwynwyn was pursued by Llewellyn and driven within the walls of Chester. He was dead by 1218, his widow Margaret living, and his children under age. He married Margaret, daughter of Robert Corbet, feudal baron of Caus. Griffith resumed the arms of his line: Or, a lion Rampant Gules. He had Madoc Goch and his elder son [Griffith]
Foulques IV "le Rèchin" , Comte d'Anjou
Fulk IV the Surly or Foulques le Réchin, Count of Anjou (1068-1109). Geoffrey II Martel, son of Fulk III, pursued the policy of expansion begun by his father but left no sons as heirs. The contship went to his eldest nephew Geoffrey III the Bearded. But the latter's brother, Fulk, discontented over having inherited only a few small appandages, took advantage of the general discontent aroused by Geoffrey III's inept rule, seized Saumur and Angers (1067), and cast Geoffrey first into prision at Sablé and later in the confines of Chinon castle (1068). Fulks reign then had to endure a series of conflicts against the several barons, Philip I of France, and the duke of Normandy. He lost some lands but secured, through battle and marriage, the countship of Maine for his son Fulk V.
[Enc. Brit. 5:44]
© 2001, Saul M. Montes-Bradley. All Rights Reserved